Researchers have discovered new genetic factors that increase the risk of developing fibromyalgia, a chronic disease that causes widespread pain throughout the body, affects 2 to 6% of the world's population, and is more common in women.
The study, led by an international team of experts including researchers from King's College London, was based on DNA analysis of more than 2.5 million people from six countries (Britain, America, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Estonia), of whom about 55,000 were diagnosed with the disease.
The team identified 26 regions in the human genome containing genetic variants associated with an increased risk of fibromyalgia, confirming that the condition has a clear biological basis, according to Dr. Michael Weinberg of the University of Toronto. He noted that patients have been "ignored for decades" and told that their pain is "psychological," but the study radically changes this perception.
Professor Frances Williams of King's College said: "By studying the DNA of more than two million people, we can confirm that the findings are real, and that fibromyalgia represents a problem in how the brain processes painful signals."
One of the study's key findings is a strong link between fibromyalgia risk and the HTT gene, the same mutations that cause Huntington's disease, a rare, inherited brain disorder for which there is currently no cure. The researchers also point out that a receptor that regulates levels of this gene is already being investigated as a potential drug target for Huntington's disease, opening the possibility of leveraging current drug research to develop treatments for fibromyalgia in the future.
The study also revealed a genetic overlap between fibromyalgia and other conditions such as lower back pain and irritable bowel syndrome, which explains why chronic pain syndromes tend to cluster together in some people. Professor Williams says that targeting the "common mechanisms" between these conditions could benefit a wide range of patients.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread pain, stiffness, chronic fatigue, headaches, bowel problems, and difficulties with memory and learning. Anxiety and depression are often associated with the condition, which is better understood in light of these findings.
Researchers hope these findings will help develop better ways to diagnose and treat fibromyalgia, emphasizing the importance of understanding how genetic factors interact with environmental exposures and life events to contribute to the risk of developing this complex syndrome. This study is a significant step toward confirming the biological nature of fibromyalgia and opening new avenues for its treatment.
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